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Veterans Park to stay mostly natural (MAP)

Published: Friday, November 29, 2013 at 02:44 PM.

OKALOOSA ISLAND — A walking path and a repaired bridge could be coming to Veterans Park by next spring.

Okaloosa County commissioners have approved the first phase of amenities planned for the 15-acre natural area behind the Emerald Coast Convention Center.

“The board did make a commitment … that the park would be kept as natural as possible,” Commissioner Dave Parisot said. “ … If you start injecting vehicle traffic into that area, we’re going to lose all the wildlife.”

County engineer Jason Autry said the public works department is set to begin working on the walking trail that will wrap around the lake on the property and allow people to “utilize the existing acreage.” The path will tie into the parking lot at the Convention Center.

Workers also are expected to start repairing the bridge over the lake.

Restrooms, water fountains and a monument recognizing the county’s veterans are expected to be added in later.

The 15 acres is home to a heron rookery, wetlands, coastal dunes, a pine and oak hammock and drain-age ponds.

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OKALOOSA ISLAND — A walking path and a repaired bridge could be coming to Veterans Park by next spring.

Okaloosa County commissioners have approved the first phase of amenities planned for the 15-acre natural area behind the Emerald Coast Convention Center.

“The board did make a commitment … that the park would be kept as natural as possible,” Commissioner Dave Parisot said. “ … If you start injecting vehicle traffic into that area, we’re going to lose all the wildlife.”

County engineer Jason Autry said the public works department is set to begin working on the walking trail that will wrap around the lake on the property and allow people to “utilize the existing acreage.” The path will tie into the parking lot at the Convention Center.

Workers also are expected to start repairing the bridge over the lake.

Restrooms, water fountains and a monument recognizing the county’s veterans are expected to be added in later.

The 15 acres is home to a heron rookery, wetlands, coastal dunes, a pine and oak hammock and drain-age ponds.